All posts tagged obama100

Former Secretary of State Lawrence Eagleburger compared President Barack Obama’s first 100 days in office to those of President John F. Kennedy—and not in terms of their youth, good looks or oratory.

Eagleburger told the Council on Foreign Relations that just as JFK’s 1961 meeting with Nikita Khrushchev led the Russian leader to think the young American president was naive and weak on foreign policy, Obama’s diplomatic overtures have invited foreign leaders to view the new president as timid and untested.

After initially saying conclusions are difficult to draw after 100 days, he said, “But when I began to think about it, the first thing that occurred to me was to remember a meeting on June 4th, 1961 between JFK and Nikita Khrushchev. And Khrushchev very clearly came away from that meeting misjudging, I think, JFK, but thinking he was a very weak president. And that probably, as much as any single thing thereafter, led to the Cuban Missile Crisis. ”

Eagleburger said he sees “the same kind of problems for us in terms of how [Obama] is going to be judged, not so much by Americans who may or may not have it right, but rather by others.”

Eagleburger, a longtime diplomat who served under President George H. W. Bush, said America’s enemies aren’t the only ones unconvinced of Obama’s international authority. “The president got nowhere when it came to trying to ask the Europeans to help us in Afghanistan,” he said.

Obama’s most important foreign policy task is to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons, Eagleburger said, adding that “unless the United States is prepared to use force, it’s almost too late now. But if the United States is not prepared to use force, this is an issue that’s gotten beyond us. And it will not be long before we see nuclear weapons on the hands of far too many states.” Read More »

REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT ON REDUCING SPENDING IN THE BUDGETDwight D. Eisenhower Executive Office Building
Room 350
10:42 A.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT: Good morning, everybody. All across this country, Americans are responding to difficult economic times by tightening their belts and making tough decisions about where they need to spend and where they need to save. The question the American people are asking is whether Washington is prepared to act with the same sense of responsibility.

I believe we can and must do exactly that. Over the course of our first hundred days in office, my administration has taken aggressive action to confront a historic economic crisis. We’re doing everything that we can to create jobs and to get our economy moving while building a new foundation for lasting prosperity — a foundation that invests in quality education, lowers health care costs, and develops new sources of energy powered by new jobs and industries.

But one of the pillars of this foundation is fiscal responsibility. We can no longer afford to spend as if deficits don’t matter and waste is not our problem. We can no longer afford to leave the hard choices for the next budget, the next administration — or the next generation. Read More »

I have the honor to transmit to you the Budget of the United States Government for Fiscal Year 2010.

In my February 26th budget overview, A New Era of Responsibility: Renewing America’s Promise, I provided a broad outline of how our Nation came to this moment of economic, financial, and fiscal crisis; and how my Administration plans to move this economy from recession to recovery and lay a new foundation for long-term economic growth and prosperity. This Budget fills out this picture by providing full programmatic details and proposing appropriations language and other required information for the Congress to put these plans fully into effect.

Specifically, this Budget details the pillars of the stable and broad economic growth we seek: making long overdue investments and reforms in education so that every child can compete in the global economy, undertaking health care reform so that we can control costs while boosting coverage and quality, and investing in renewable sources of energy so that we can reduce our dependence on foreign oil and become the world leader in the new clean energy economy.

Fiscal discipline is another critical pillar in this economic foundation. My Administration came into office facing a budget deficit of $1.3 trillion for this year alone, and the cost of confronting the recession and financial crisis has been high. While these are extraordinary times that have demanded extraordinary responses, it is impossible to put our Nation on a course for long-term growth without beginning to rein in unsustainable deficits and debt. We no longer can afford to tolerate investments in programs that are outdated, duplicative, ineffective, or wasteful. Read More »

Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter said he hopes President Barack Obama will use the nomination to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice David Souter to improve diversity on the court, suggesting “another female Justice would be a good idea,” and that African American and Hispanic candidates should be considered. “The court could use some diversity along a number of lines,” he told local reporters in Philadelphia this morning.

Until this week, Specter was the Senate Judiciary Committee’s ranking Republican, but now sits as a Democrat. He says he hopes for “dignified” hearings on Justice Souter’s proposed replacement. “We will cast votes on the merits. I have never had a litmus test,” he said. “I supported very conservative nominees like Justice [Antonin] Scalia and very liberal nominees like Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. I think that’s the way it ought to be.”

South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, who also sits on the Judiciary Committee, said the White House must be careful picking a replacement for Souter. Graham expects a “left leaning pick,” given that Obama will be replacing Souter, but said a liberal ideologue would not only inflame Republicans but likely create problems with “red state” Democrats.

“If they nominate someone out of the mainstream, that doesn’t go down well with the public, he’ll run into problems,” said Graham, who vowed Republicans would be “firm and fair” in the upcoming nomination process. “There is some checks and balances left in the system. I don’t think America wants a wide-eyed liberal on the court.” Read More »

President Barack Obama interrupted today’s White House briefing with Robert Gibbs to announce that he spoke with Justice David Souter who informed him personally of his intention to retire. Here are Obama’s remarks to reporters:

“Throughout his two decades on the Supreme Court, Justice Souter has shown what it means to be a fair-minded and independent judge. He came to the bench with no particular ideology. He never sought to promote a political agenda. He consistently defied labels and rejected absolutes, focusing instead on just one task: reaching a just result in the case that was before him. He approaches judging as he approaches life, with a feverish work ethic and a good sense of humor, with integrity, equanimity, and compassion. The hallmark of not just being a good judge, but being a good person. I am incredibly grateful for his dedicated service. I told him as much when I spoke. I spoke on behalf of the American people, thanking him for his service. I wish him safe travels on his journey home to his beloved New Hampshire and on the road ahead.

Now, the process of selecting someone to replace Justice Souter is among my most serious responsibilities as president. So I will seek somebody with a sharp and independent and mind and a record of excellence and integrity. I will seek someone who understands that justice isn’t about some abstract legal theory or footnote in a case book. It is also about how our laws affect the daily realities of people’s lives, whether they can make a living, care for their families, whether they feel safe in their homes, and welcome in their own nation. I view that quality of empathy of understanding and identifying with people’s hopes and struggles as an essential ingredient for arriving at just decisions and outcomes. I will seek somebody who is dedicated to the rule of law, who honors our constitutional traditions, who respects the integrity of the judicial process and the appropriate limits of the judicial role. I will seek somebody who shares my respect for constitutional values on which this nation was founded and who brings a thoughtful understanding of how to apply them in our time.

As I make this decision I intend to consult with members of both parties across the political spectrum. And it is my hope that we can swear in our new Supreme Court Justice in time for him—or her—to be seated by the first Monday in October when the court’s new term begins.”Read More »

PRESIDENT Barack Obama: Hey, guys. I know you haven’t seen enough of me lately, so — (laughter.)

One month ago, I spoke about some of the problems that have led to the crisis in the auto industry, and about what would be required to ensure that General Motors and Chrysler emerged from their current troubles stronger and more competitive. My team will continue working with General Motors as they strengthen their business plan and move towards restructuring that’s consistent with the principles that I’ve laid out.

And today, after consulting with my Auto Task Force, I can report that the necessary steps have been taken to give one of America’s most storied automakers, Chrysler, a new lease on life. Read More »

The full transcript of President Barack Obama’s press conference in the White House marking his 100th day in office.

THE PRESIDENT: Please be seated. Before we begin tonight, I just want to provide everyone with a few brief updates on some of the challenges we’re dealing with right now.

First, we are continuing to closely monitor the emergency cases of the H1N1 flu virus throughout the United States. As I said this morning, this is obviously a very serious situation, and every American should know that their entire government is taking the utmost precautions and preparations. Our public health officials have recommended that schools with confirmed or suspected cases of this flu strongly consider temporarily closing. And if more schools are forced to close, we’ve recommended that both parents and businesses think about contingency plans if their children do have to stay home.

I’ve requested an immediate $1.5 billion in emergency funding from Congress to support our ability to monitor and track this virus and to build our supply of antiviral drugs and other equipment, and we will also ensure that those materials get to where they need to be as quickly as possible.

And finally, I’ve asked every American to take the same steps you would take to prevent any other flu: Keep your hands washed; cover your mouth when you cough; stay home from work if you’re sick; and keep your children home from school if they’re sick.

We’ll continue to provide regular updates to the American people as we receive more information, and everyone should rest assured that this government is prepared to do whatever it takes to control the impact of this virus.

The second thing I’d like to mention is how gratified I am that the House and the Senate passed a budget resolution today… Read More »

President Barack Obama is holding a primetime press conference tonight at 8:00 p.m. EDT to mark his 100th day in the Oval Office.

The president continues to enjoy high marks from the public–61% of people approve of the job Obama is doing according to the latest Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll–better ratings than either former Presidents George W. Bush or Bill Clinton had at their respective 100-day marks.

But significant tests of Obama’s administration will unfold in the coming months as a Democratic-controlled Washington attempts to stabilize the U.S. economy, manage the ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and pass major initiatives on health care and climate change, among other issues.

8:01: President Barack Obama takes the mic and says he wants to update on a couple fronts: swine flu is being monitored and everyone should know their government is taking the “utmost” precautions. Schools may be closed. He’s requested $1.5 billion in emergency funds to monitor and track the virus and build up anti-viral drug stockpiles. Also–wash your hands, cover your mouth when you cough, don’t go to work if you’re sick.

8:03: Shout out to Congress and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid for final passage on the budget. Obama touts the housing bill and other accomplishments. “Even as we clear away the wreckage of this recession” we can’t return to an economy “that is built on sand.” We “have to lay a new foundation for growth.” That’s what the budget does.

8:05: He says he promised to change policies in Iraq and Afghanistan–and says he is citing the closing of Guantanamo and the end of torture. “I’m pleased with our progress, but I’m not satisfied” overall, he says of his first 100 days. There’s a whole lot to do. It’s going to take a while.

8:08: First question on the swine flu, is it time to close the U.S.-Mexico border? “This is a cause for deep concern but not panic,” Obama says. We need to respond intelligently. President cites public health officials who don’t recommend a border closing. It would be “akin to closing the barn door after the horses are out,” he said. “The key now is to make sure we are maintaining great vigilance.” America: wash your hands.

8:12: Second question on the auto industry: Is bankruptcy the only option for Chrysler, and what about plant closings announced by GM? Obama says he’s more hopeful now than a month ago that there will be a deal that “maintains a viable Chrysler auto company.” As for GM, there’s going to be another 30 days for review. GM has to make tough choices, but they can emerge a “strong, competitive, viable” company. “I would love to get the U.S. government out of the auto industry as quickly as possible,” he adds. Read More »

A hundred days in to his presidency, Barack Obama continues to enjoy high popularity ratings, according to the latest Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll in today’s WSJ.

61% of people approve of the job Obama is doing as president–better ratings than either George W. Bush or Bill Clinton had at their respective 100-day marks.

Associated Press

“The poll paints the image of a popular president, but also offers cautionary notes for the White House, including growing worry over the rising federal deficit, a solid majority opposing his release of Bush-era memos on interrogation techniques and slipping support for his signature economic-stimulus bill,” Laura Mecklerwrites. “There is early, tentative support for some of Mr. Obama’s most complex policy goals, including health-care and energy overhauls, and support for most of the major moves he’s already made.”

Today’s WSJ offers a comprehensive look at the first 100 days. Worth checking out: Gerald F. Seib’s notes that while the marker is a kind of “faux, Hallmark-card moment” it has at the same time seen a number of giant initiatives and bold policy goals, including the $787 billion stimulus, an additional $350 billion in financial-sector rescue funds, and a budget that calls for a $630 billion investment to overhaul the nation’s health care system.

“The past 100 days also are noteworthy for some things that didn’t happen,” Seib writes, “In particular, bipartisan nirvana didn’t emerge in Washington, as some envisioned. Instead, partisanship seems alive and well, showing the limits of the Obama ‘change’ mantra.”

(Click here for the WSJ’s take on the key milestones of the first 100 days.)

Meckler and Jonathan Weismanfurther explore the break-neck pace that has defined the nascent days of the administration, and Elizabeth Williamson and Neil King Jr.explain how Obama administration has “plunged faster and deeper into the inner workings of American business than any of its predecessors.”

On the cultural front, Douglas A. Blackmon and Corey Dadereport on how the nation’s first black president has “pursued a quietly nuanced agenda on race,” while Amy Chozickwrites about the making of the first celebrity president.

For an insider’s opinion, check out how former White House chiefs of staff rate the first 100 days. “I really admire President Obama’s campaign pronouncements about changing the way Washington operated, reaching out to Republicans, reaching across the aisle,” says Reagan Chief of Staff James Baker.

As for Republicans, Naftali Bendavidreports that the minority party is taking the long-view. Republicans “have adopted a relatively long-term strategy, aimed at turning the public against the Democratic agenda and positioning Republicans to take advantage in the 2010 elections and beyond,” he writes.

And if you’d rather relive it in pictures, check out the WSJ’s first 100 days photo essay.

Obama will also host a primetime news conference this evening at 8:00 p.m. EDT. Read More »

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